The people who don't appreciate the hard work done by the staff of the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary really only have one option: They should leave. They should move to an environment free of any of God's beautiful creatures.

How rude it is for these wonderful birds to get sick, to get themselves stuck on fishhooks or get entangled in fishing line. Heaven forbid that the birds should suffer from hunger due to decreased food supply because of inclement weather. Why should anyone care?

Thank God there are people in the world who do care. The staff at the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary has the compassion and energy to help take care of birds that need help. I understand most of the staff members are volunteers. Shame on the people against the sanctuary. Shame on you, heartless people.

Linda Burda, Seminole

Redington Shores clips bird sanctuary's wings | Jan. 17

Helping birds is not always pretty sight

I take issue with Redington Shores Commissioner Lee Holmes, who said that the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary is "dirty, not attractive to passers-by and not a desirable attraction to our community."

The purpose of the sanctuary is not to make the town prettier but to help thousands of birds a year heal or sustain life after being injured. Most of these injuries, interestingly enough, are caused by humans.

I volunteer at the sanctuary one morning a week, and I can tell you it is a wonderful feeling to know you are helping these beautiful birds. It's not about "pretty," Mr. Holmes, it's about helping wildlife whose domain we have invaded.

Linda Kremer-Duguay, Indian Shores

Redington Shores clips bird sanctuary's wings | Jan. 17

Birds on the beach; move people inland

Redington Shores Mayor Bert Adams, according to this article, suggested it would be better if the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary moved its hospital and recovery units inland. That is an absurd statement. Where does he think these injured birds live? They live right here on our beaches.

It would make no sense at all to put them in vehicles and drive them inland. That land has been here in the Heath family before all the condo dwellers moved in. I suggest that the complainers move inland.

Kathy LaDuke, St. Pete Beach

The Pier

It's time to take downtown gamble

When it comes to finding an idea to save the Pier, we must examine what the facility has given us as-is, and what we'd like for it to give us.

We know that the Pier is an attraction with an iconic look. It gives a unique look to the ensemble of buildings in the downtown St. Petersburg landscape. We need whatever comes next to also give that to us.

One of the problems with creating something visually interesting/stunning — or much of anything right now — is money. The economy is still a mess, but there are people who would love to drop a sizable chunk of change to pay for a Pier-replacement: casinos.

It would require allowing casino gambling, or at least making an exception for this site. The casino would be quite a draw, and the facility built to house it could be made to look very unique.

Look at any number of the themed Las Vegas hotels — including the pyramid-shaped Luxor — and you have an idea. The casino could include a nightclub and many other amenities like the ones found at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino. It could include hotel rooms and/or be tied to a shorefront hotel.

The casino-Pier, unlike the upside-down pyramid currently in use, would be a major draw to our downtown area. Imagine that after a Rays game, fans don't just go home, but cruise down to the casino, then hang around downtown, visiting its stores, restaurants, bars, theaters or other attractions (Dali).

It could work. It should work.

Jim Bullard, St. Petersburg

Old Kmart perfect site for Sam's Club | Jan. 24, letter

Nearby Walmart shouldn't hurt idea

I applaud the letter writer for suggesting in Sunday's Neighborhood Times that Sam's Club consider locating in the old Kmart facility on 34th Street S. And while there is a Walmart a block north, I would point out that the combination appears to work in other locations.

In Parma, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, there is a Walmart and a Sam's Club nearly side by side. Although I don't have any concrete evidence of sales, etc., the number of vehicles in both parking lots would suggest that both entities are doing quite well.

I would also point out that Publix has found it apparently economical in several instances locally to use buildings acquired from Albertsons, rather than starting from scratch.

Maxton Davies, Gulfport

Beach needs more trash cans with lids

I am very concerned about the amount of trash found on the beaches. There are candy wrappers, old cans, water bottles and cigarettes buried in the sand, and washed up on shore. This litter is hazardous to our animals and ocean life.

I feel there should be more trash cans, ones with lids so on the windy days the waste doesn't blow out of the bins. There should be "no littering" signs and recycle bins. The amount of trash on the beach is plentiful, and I feel there should be something done about it.

Our big blue oceans and yellow sands are not big trash cans. If this keeps going on, we will be living in each other's trash and waste.

Natalie Prince, Largo

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